The Pac-12 had eight representatives on Athlon Sports' preseason All-America first team, which tied the ACC for the most of any conference.

USC wideout Nelson Agholor, Oregon center Hroniss Grasu, Stanford tackle Andrus Peat and Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu were some of the notable Pac-12 names that landed on the first team when Athlon released its projections Monday morning.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota highlighted the list of Pac-12 players on the second team.

Oregon State's Mike Riley, who has an 88-73 career record, comes in at No. 14. In his analysis of Riley, Fischer wrote, "you'd be hard pressed to find a nicer coach in the sport."

Stanford's David Shaw landed at No. 4 on Fischer's list. Shaw took over for Jim Harbaugh three years ago and has compiled a record of 34-7 while taking the Cardinal to the last two Rose Bowls.

And the top Pac-12 coach on the list is new to the conference. Fischer ranked Chris Petersen, who's entering his first season at Washington after enjoying great success at Boise State, as the second best coach in college football behind only Alabama's Nick Saban.